Life according to… Endeavour and Sheila’s Island star Abigail Thaw

Endeavour star Abigail Thaw talks about working on the hit show, her dad John and returning to theatre with new comedy Sheila’s Island.

What is your new theatre show, Sheila’s Island, about?

It’s written by Tim Firth and it’s a new version of Neville’s Island, which he wrote 30 years ago. Neville’s Island was performed in the West End recently with Neil Morrissey, Ade Edmundson, Robert Webb and Miles Jupp. This is an all-female cast and is about four people stranded on a little island trying to contend with Mother Nature.

Is it a comedy?

Yes, so if you want to forget about the government or Ukraine or storms or Covid, then come to see us and we’ll give you a good laugh. We need it, we really do.

Who are you starring with?

Sara Crowe, Judy Flynn and Rina Fatania. I’ve never worked with any of them or knew any of them before this, but I did know their work. I’d seen Rina in the first play I attended after coming out of lockdown and she was hilarious – she stole the show – and the next thing I knew she was joining the cast.

Are you looking forward to getting back on the road?

It’s exciting. This is what we do as actors and we haven’t done it for so long. It’s fantastic to be able to come to Edinburgh, I never thought that would be on the list of places we would go. I know you guys have had a longer lockdown, and for a while it felt touch and go if we were going to be up there, so it’s brilliant that we can. We’re also looking forward to getting to some gorgeous places, to do some walking, go for some nice meals and have a laugh together at the end of each show.

How has the response been so far?

So good. You worry everyone will still be at home watching Netflix and not want to come out, but that’s not been the case. A couple of weeks ago, an audience struggled in after the storm and they gave us a standing ovation at the end. They were so pleased to be there. It felt like we were all in it together and it was very heartening – it made me cry, actually. To see people brave the elements, to come in with their masks, to have a good time. They want a drink in the bar and a chat with their friends and to feel like they are doing something and getting out. I hope Edinburgh feels the same.

Many people will know you for your role as Dorothea in Morse prequel Endeavour over the past 10 years. How has that experience been?

I’ve loved every minute of it. We are doing another series this year and then we don’t know what will happen. I think it’s going to be the last – Shaun Evans, as youthful as he is, can’t stay looking young forever and he has to turn into John Thaw at some point! Last Monday was 20 years since my dad John’s death. It doesn’t feel like 20 years at all. It was the birthday of Sheila, my stepmother, the following day, so she and my sisters came to see Sheila’s Island.

What would John have thought of Endeavour?

I know he would have loved it. It’s good quality, and it’s written and produced and made by people who loved the original Morse series, and so much care and thought has gone into everything from the costumes to the writing to the performances. It’s been such a special process.

Did you film during lockdown?

We did, and it felt like a miracle to do so. It was so joyous to come into work. It’s such a family, so when someone leaves you feel heartbroken. Irene Napier, my make-up woman for the whole time until the last series, is Glaswegian and she stayed in Glasgow during Covid and we really missed her. Hopefully she’ll be back for the next series.

Sheila’s Island, King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Tuesday to Saturday